MCE Conferences Pharmacology and Rheumatology for Primary Care October 2–4, 2026

MCE Primary Care CME 2026 | Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Lupus, Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, Opioid Prescribing, Polypharmacy, CKD & Psychopharmacology

The MCE Conferences Pharmacology and Rheumatology for Primary Care October 2–4, 2026 is a comprehensive three-day continuing medical education program designed to provide physicians and healthcare professionals with practical, evidence-based updates in pharmacology, rheumatology, musculoskeletal medicine, and primary care.

Organized by MCE Conferences, the program was held October 2–4, 2026, at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort in Walt Disney World, Florida, USA.

The conference focuses on common and challenging clinical conditions encountered in outpatient medicine, emphasizing appropriate diagnosis, rational medication selection, clinical safety, guideline-directed treatment, and effective long-term management.

Through expert-led presentations, case-oriented education, and practical clinical discussions, the program explores important subjects including opioid prescribing, depression pharmacotherapy, inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, biologic therapies, geriatric polypharmacy, chronic kidney disease, anxiety, sleep disorders, gout, calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD), and systemic connective tissue disorders.

Special attention is given to the clinical responsibilities of primary care physicians managing complex patients with multiple chronic illnesses, medication interactions, immune-mediated disorders, renal impairment, and age-related pharmacological risks.

The curriculum also reviews new and established medication strategies, patient-specific contraindications, laboratory and imaging investigations, drug safety monitoring, and appropriate specialist referral.

The original MCE educational program comprises 12 scientific lectures across three days, with up to 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits available to eligible registered participants.

Course Details

• Course: MCE Conferences Pharmacology and Rheumatology for Primary Care
• Organizer: MCE Conferences
• Edition: 2026
• Conference Dates: October 2–4, 2026
• Duration: Three Days
• Original Venue: Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort
• Meeting Location: Disney Yacht & Beach Convention Center
• Location: Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA
• Original Format: In-Person Continuing Medical Education Conference
• Published Scientific Lectures: 12
• Daily Scientific Program: 7:30 AM – 11:50 AM Eastern Time
• Maximum CME: 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits
• Maximum ABIM MOC: 12 Points
• Maximum AAFP Prescribed Credits: 12
• MATE Act Educational Content: 2 Hours
• Primary Specialty: Family Medicine / Primary Care
• Additional Focus: Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, Clinical Pharmacology, Geriatrics, Nephrology, Psychiatry and Pain Medicine
• Language: English
• Educational Methods: Lectures, Clinical Cases, Evidence-Based Reviews and Interactive Discussions

The original conference schedule describes the educational activity. Exact video recordings, PDF presentations, supporting documents, and other digital materials available through independent retailers must be verified separately.

Course Highlights

• Three-Day Pharmacology and Rheumatology Conference
• Twelve Expert-Led Medical Lectures
• Evidence-Based Primary Care Education
• Opioid Prescribing Guidelines
• Chronic Nonmalignant Pain Management
• Regulatory Considerations in Opioid Therapy
• Depression Psychopharmacotherapy
• Arthralgia and Myalgia Evaluation
• Inflammatory and Noninflammatory Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis and Soft Tissue Disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs
• Biologic Therapy and Safety Monitoring
• Geriatric Medication Management
• Inappropriate Polypharmacy
• Drug–Drug and Drug–Supplement Interactions
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Kidney-Protective Pharmacotherapy
• Anxiety and Insomnia
• Gout and Crystal Arthritis
• Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Systemic Sclerosis
• Inflammatory Myopathies
• Immunosuppressive Treatment
• Practical Primary Care Decision-Making

Target Audience

The program is intended for physicians and healthcare professionals seeking clinically relevant information about pharmacology and rheumatology.

Relevant participants include:

• Internal Medicine Physicians
• Family Medicine Physicians
• Primary Care Physicians
• General Practitioners
• Rheumatologists
• Clinical Pharmacologists
• Geriatricians
• Nephrologists
• Psychiatrists
• Pain Medicine Specialists
• Hospitalists
• Sports Medicine Physicians
• Clinical Pharmacists
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants
• Medical Residents
• Clinical Fellows
• Other Healthcare Professionals Involved in Medication Management and Rheumatic Disease Care

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the original educational activity, participants should be better able to:

1. Describe evolving opioid prescribing practices and regulatory considerations in the United States.
2. Apply current prescribing guidelines to the management of chronic nonmalignant pain.
3. Review psychopharmacological approaches to depression through clinical cases, treatment selection, medication safety, and patient-specific considerations.
4. Differentiate inflammatory from noninflammatory causes of joint and muscle pain.
5. Recognize clinical warning signs requiring additional diagnostic evaluation or specialist referral.
6. Interpret relevant laboratory investigations and imaging studies in patients with rheumatic symptoms.
7. Develop evidence-based management strategies for osteoarthritis, soft tissue pain conditions, and fibromyalgia.
8. Recognize common inflammatory arthritides and understand the importance of timely diagnosis and disease-modifying treatment.
9. Evaluate biologic medications, their clinical indications, potential complications, and safety monitoring requirements.
10. Apply age-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles to reduce medication-related harm.
11. Identify inappropriate polypharmacy and important drug interactions in older adults.
12. Review guideline-based assessment and management of chronic kidney disease.
13. Evaluate insomnia and anxiety disorders using appropriate behavioral and pharmacological treatments.
14. Diagnose and manage gout and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease.
15. Recognize systemic connective tissue disorders, including lupus, systemic sclerosis, and inflammatory myopathies.
16. Understand the primary care physician’s role in monitoring patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment.

Complete Official 2026 Conference Curriculum

The following curriculum preserves the 12 published MCE lecture titles, dates, and times.

All times are local Eastern Time.

Day 1 – Friday, October 2, 2026

Pharmacology, Opioid Prescribing, Depression and Musculoskeletal Assessment

7:15 AM – Conference Check-In

1. Best Practices in Prescribing Opioids: A Regulatory Perspective

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM

Specialty: Clinical Pharmacology / Pain Medicine

This presentation reviews contemporary opioid prescribing practices and their implications for primary care.

The educational program examines the clinical, regulatory, and safety considerations involved in treating chronic nonmalignant pain.

Major Topics:

• Opioid Prescribing
• Chronic Nonmalignant Pain
• United States Regulatory Requirements
• Opioid Prescribing Guidelines
• Risk-Benefit Assessment
• Appropriate Patient Selection
• Treatment Monitoring
• Medication Safety
• Prescriber Responsibilities
• Documentation
• Practice Improvement

Session Objectives:

• Describe evolving opioid prescribing regulations.
• Discuss contemporary opioid prescribing guidance.
• Identify best practices in chronic pain management.
• Review cases involving prescribing investigations and professional licensure outcomes.

The session emphasizes safe and responsible opioid prescribing within applicable clinical and regulatory standards.

Break

8:30 AM – 8:35 AM

2. Optimizing Psychopharmacotherapy in Depression: Clinical Cases

8:35 AM – 9:35 AM

Specialty: Psychiatry / Clinical Pharmacology

Reviews the pharmacological management of depression through practical patient scenarios.

The session emphasizes understanding neurochemical mechanisms and selecting appropriate therapies based on clinical evidence.

Major Topics:

• Major Depressive Disorder
• Depression Pharmacotherapy
• Neurochemical Mechanisms
• Antidepressant Medication Classes
• Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Medication Efficacy
• Tolerability
• Adverse Effects
• Patient-Specific Treatment Selection
• Medication Cost
• Clinical Follow-Up

Session Objectives:

• Compare pharmacological treatment options for depression.
• Relate neurochemical mechanisms to depressive symptoms.
• Apply clinical guidelines when selecting antidepressants.
• Evaluate medication safety, efficacy, tolerability, cost, and simplicity.

Break

9:35 AM – 9:45 AM

3. Approach to the Patient with Arthralgias and Myalgias

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM

Specialty: Rheumatology

Reviews the evaluation of patients presenting with joint and muscle pain.

An important focus is distinguishing inflammatory disease from degenerative and nonarticular causes.

Major Topics:

• Arthralgia
• Myalgia
• Inflammatory Arthritis
• Noninflammatory Arthritis
• Degenerative Joint Disease
• Soft Tissue Pain
• Clinical Red Flags
• Musculoskeletal Examination
• Laboratory Testing
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Differential Diagnosis
• Rheumatology Referral

Session Objectives:

• Differentiate inflammatory and noninflammatory causes of joint pain.
• Recognize concerning clinical findings.
• Interpret commonly used rheumatology investigations.
• Apply appropriate physical examination techniques.
• Develop practical diagnostic approaches for primary care.

Break

10:45 AM – 10:50 AM

4. When It’s Not Inflammatory: A Practical Approach to Osteoarthritis, Soft Tissue Pain & Fibromyalgia

10:50 AM – 11:50 AM

Specialty: Rheumatology / Musculoskeletal Medicine

Examines common noninflammatory causes of musculoskeletal symptoms.

The session reviews diagnostic features, clinical assessment, and individualized management.

Major Topics:

• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative Joint Disease
• Secondary Osteoarthritis
• Regional Musculoskeletal Pain
• Soft Tissue Disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic Pain Syndromes
• Exercise Therapy
• Weight Management
• Nonpharmacological Treatment
• Medication Selection
• Functional Rehabilitation

Session Objectives:

• Recognize typical features and risk factors for osteoarthritis.
• Identify findings suggesting secondary osteoarthritis.
• Develop evidence-based treatment strategies.
• Evaluate common soft tissue conditions.
• Apply practical approaches to fibromyalgia assessment and management.

11:50 AM – Scientific Sessions Conclude

Day 2 – Saturday, October 3, 2026

Inflammatory Arthritis, Biologic Therapy and Geriatric Pharmacology

5. Making Sense of Inflammatory Arthritis: Clues, Diagnosis, and Therapy

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM

Specialty: Rheumatology

Reviews the recognition, diagnosis, and management of inflammatory arthritic conditions.

Major Topics:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Spondyloarthritis
• Inflammatory Joint Disease
• Clinical Presentation
• Joint Distribution
• Laboratory Investigation
• Imaging
• Early Diagnosis
• Rheumatology Referral
• DMARD Therapy
• Treatment Monitoring

Session Objectives:

• Recognize common inflammatory arthritis presentations.
• Select appropriate laboratory and imaging investigations.
• Understand the importance of early diagnosis and referral.
• Review disease-modifying therapeutic strategies.

Break

8:30 AM – 8:35 AM

6. The Rheumatology Patient in Primary Care: What to Watch, What to Prevent, When to Worry

8:35 AM – 9:35 AM

Specialty: Rheumatology / Clinical Pharmacology

Examines the role of primary care professionals in managing patients with autoimmune rheumatic disorders, particularly those receiving biologic medications.

Major Topics:

• Autoimmune Arthritis
• Biologic Therapies
• Immunomodulatory Medications
• Infection Risk
• Medication Monitoring
• Adverse Drug Effects
• Vaccination Considerations
• Comorbidity Assessment
• Patient Safety
• Multidisciplinary Care
• Referral Decisions

Session Objectives:

• Review newer biologic treatment approaches.
• Recognize treatment-related safety risks.
• Identify patient factors affecting therapeutic selection.
• Understand the primary care clinician’s responsibilities in ongoing patient care.

Break

9:35 AM – 9:45 AM

7. Optimizing Drug Therapy and Avoiding Drug Injury in the Older Adult: Part 1

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM

Specialty: Geriatrics / Clinical Pharmacology

Reviews physiological changes associated with aging and their impact on medication treatment.

Major Topics:

• Geriatric Pharmacology
• Pharmacokinetics
• Pharmacodynamics
• Renal Function
• Hepatic Metabolism
• Drug Distribution
• Medication Sensitivity
• Adverse Drug Reactions
• Dose Adjustment
• Patient Monitoring

Session Objectives:

• Describe age-related physiological changes affecting medication therapy.
• Apply age-sensitive prescribing principles to clinical cases.

Break

10:45 AM – 10:50 AM

8. Optimizing Drug Therapy and Avoiding Drug Injury in the Older Adult: Part 2

10:50 AM – 11:50 AM

Specialty: Geriatrics / Clinical Pharmacology

Builds on the first session with a focus on polypharmacy, medication interactions, and prevention of drug-related harm.

Major Topics:

• Polypharmacy
• Potentially Inappropriate Medications
• Medication Reconciliation
• Deprescribing
• Drug–Drug Interactions
• Drug–Supplement Interactions
• Medication Toxicity
• High-Risk Medications
• Adverse Drug Events
• Treatment Simplification
• Patient-Centered Prescribing

Session Objectives:

• Identify inappropriate medication use.
• Apply practical medication review tools.
• Evaluate complex drug regimens.
• Recognize high-risk medication and supplement interactions.
• Reduce avoidable medication-related harm.

11:50 AM – Scientific Sessions Conclude

Day 3 – Sunday, October 4, 2026

Chronic Kidney Disease, Anxiety, Crystal Arthritis and Connective Tissue Disorders

9. Best Practices in Chronic Kidney Disease: Highlights from Latest Guidelines and Expert Recommendations

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM

Specialty: Nephrology / Clinical Pharmacology

Reviews contemporary approaches to chronic kidney disease assessment and clinical management.

Major Topics:

• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Renal Function Assessment
• Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate
• Albuminuria
• CKD Risk Stratification
• Kidney-Protective Pharmacotherapy
• Medication Safety
• Cardiovascular Risk
• CKD Progression
• Complication Prevention
• Nephrology Referral
• Long-Term Monitoring

Session Objectives:

• Review evidence-based CKD evaluation and risk assessment.
• Examine medications intended to delay kidney disease progression.
• Evaluate treatment efficacy, safety, tolerability, and cost.
• Review cardiovascular risk reduction strategies.
• Apply practical CKD recommendations in primary care.

Break

8:30 AM – 8:35 AM

10. Managing Anxiety and Sleep Disorders: Drug and Non-Pharmacologic Considerations

8:35 AM – 9:35 AM

Specialty: Psychiatry / Geriatrics / Clinical Pharmacology

Examines common anxiety and sleep disorders, with particular attention to older patients.

Major Topics:

• Anxiety Disorders
• Insomnia
• Sleep Disturbance
• Clinical Assessment
• Neurobiological Mechanisms
• Behavioral Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
• Sleep Hygiene
• Pharmacological Treatment
• Medication-Related Risks
• Geriatric Considerations
• Specialist Referral

Session Objectives:

• Recognize common anxiety and sleep disorder presentations.
• Understand relevant neurobiological mechanisms.
• Apply evidence-based behavioral and medication approaches.
• Identify circumstances requiring specialist assessment.

Break

9:35 AM – 9:45 AM

11. When Crystals Attack: Gout, CPPD, and Crystal Arthritis for Primary Care

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM

Specialty: Rheumatology

Reviews the diagnosis and treatment of crystal-associated arthritis.

Major Topics:

• Gout
• Hyperuricemia
• Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease
• Pseudogout
• Acute Monoarthritis
• Crystal Arthritis
• Joint Aspiration
• Synovial Fluid Analysis
• Differential Diagnosis
• Acute Flare Treatment
• Urate-Lowering Therapy
• Treat-to-Target Management
• Medication Safety
• Long-Term Prevention

Session Objectives:

• Recognize common presentations of gout and CPPD.
• Apply appropriate diagnostic strategies.
• Select treatment for acute crystal arthritis.
• Identify candidates for urate-lowering therapy.
• Review relevant comorbidities and treatment risks.

Break

10:45 AM – 10:50 AM

12. What You Need to Know About Connective Tissue Diseases

10:50 AM – 11:50 AM

Specialty: Rheumatology / Immunology

Examines systemic connective tissue diseases and the primary care clinician’s role in diagnosis and ongoing management.

Major Topics:

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Systemic Sclerosis
• Inflammatory Myopathies
• Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases
• Clinical Presentation
• Autoimmune Laboratory Testing
• Imaging
• Organ Involvement
• Immunosuppressive Therapy
• Medication Monitoring
• Specialist Collaboration

Session Objectives:

• Recognize clinical features of major connective tissue diseases.
• Understand appropriate laboratory and imaging evaluation.
• Review immunosuppressive treatment options.
• Identify the role of primary care in monitoring these patients.

11:50 AM – Conference Scientific Program Concludes

Major Topics Covered

• MCE Pharmacology and Rheumatology for Primary Care 2026
• Primary Care Pharmacology
• Rheumatology
• Opioid Prescribing Guidelines
• Chronic Pain Management
• Depression Pharmacotherapy
• Antidepressant Medications
• Arthralgias
• Myalgias
• Inflammatory Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Soft Tissue Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• DMARD Therapy
• Biologic Medications
• Immunosuppressive Therapy
• Geriatric Pharmacology
• Polypharmacy
• Deprescribing
• Drug Interactions
• Drug–Supplement Interactions
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Kidney-Protective Pharmacotherapy
• Anxiety Disorders
• Insomnia
• Gout
• CPPD
• Crystal Arthritis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Systemic Sclerosis
• Inflammatory Myopathies

Clinical Pharmacology in Primary Care

The course reviews important challenges associated with medication selection, prescribing safety, drug interactions, and adverse drug effects.

Its pharmacology sessions emphasize practical treatment strategies for patients with chronic pain, depression, complex medication regimens, kidney dysfunction, and age-related medication risks.

Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine

The rheumatology curriculum focuses on distinguishing inflammatory from noninflammatory musculoskeletal disease and selecting appropriate investigations and treatment strategies.

Important topics include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, CPPD, fibromyalgia, and systemic connective tissue disorders.

Medication Safety in Older Adults

Older patients may experience altered medication responses due to physiological changes, multimorbidity, and concurrent treatments.

The program reviews practical methods for improving medication selection, reducing polypharmacy, identifying interactions, and preventing drug-related injury.

Chronic Kidney Disease

The CKD session emphasizes guideline-informed disease assessment, kidney protection, cardiovascular risk reduction, and medication management.

These principles are particularly relevant to patients with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic renal dysfunction.

Psychiatric and Sleep Disorders

The curriculum examines depression, anxiety, and insomnia, emphasizing treatment selection and the integration of pharmacological and behavioral interventions.

Connective Tissue Disease Management

The course reviews clinical presentations of lupus, systemic sclerosis, inflammatory myopathies, and other autoimmune conditions.

The educational focus includes diagnostic evaluation, immunosuppressive therapy, medication-related risks, and appropriate referral.

Continuing Medical Education

The original MCE Conferences activity offered eligible registered participants:

• Up to 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits
• Up to 12 ABIM MOC Points
• Up to 12 AAFP Prescribed Credits
• Two Hours of Content Intended for MATE Act Requirements

The AAFP accreditation term was October 2–4, 2026.

MCE also indicates that the course may be applicable to pharmacology credit requirements, depending on the professional licensing board and its rules.

Credit eligibility requires registration, participation, evaluation, and compliance with the original accredited provider’s requirements.

Important CME Notice

Purchasing separately distributed educational materials through MedicalAmboss does not itself provide:

• Official MCE CME Credits
• ABIM MOC Points
• AAFP Prescribed Credits
• MATE Act Completion Documentation
• Official Completion Certificates
• Original Conference Registration
• In-Person Attendance
• Live Interactive Participation
• Publisher Learning Platform Access
• Hotel or Travel Arrangements

Why This Course Is Relevant

The MCE Conferences Pharmacology and Rheumatology for Primary Care October 2–4, 2026 provides a practical, evidence-based educational review of medication management and rheumatic disease care.

Its twelve-lecture curriculum addresses common and challenging clinical situations involving chronic pain, psychopharmacology, arthritis, biologic therapies, polypharmacy, kidney disease, anxiety, gout, and connective tissue disorders.

The program is particularly relevant to internists, family physicians, rheumatologists, geriatricians, nephrologists, psychiatrists, pain specialists, and advanced practice providers seeking clinically useful updates for outpatient medicine.

Course Information

Feature	Details
Course	Pharmacology and Rheumatology for Primary Care
Organizer	MCE Conferences
Dates	October 2–4, 2026
Duration	Three Days
Venue	Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort
Location	Walt Disney World, Florida
Original Format	In-Person CME Conference
Scientific Lectures	12
Daily Sessions	7:30 AM – 11:50 AM
Original CME	Up to 12 Credits
ABIM MOC	Up to 12 Points
MATE Act Content	2 Hours
Primary Specialty	Family Medicine / Primary Care
Language	English

Official Program Reference

MCE Conferences – Pharmacology and Rheumatology for Primary Care 2026:

https://www.mceconferences.com/medical-conference/primary-care-update-cme-moc-continuing-medical-education-disneys-yacht-club-resort-epcot-animal-magic-kingdom-food-wine-festival-lake-buena-vista-orlando-florida-fl-walt-disney-world-october-2026/

The original MCE program provides the conference dates, venue, lecture titles, educational objectives, and accreditation details.

The schedule does not establish the exact number of recordings or other digital files available through independent sellers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MCE Pharmacology and Rheumatology for Primary Care 2026?

It is a three-day medical education conference addressing pharmacology, medication safety, arthritis, autoimmune disease, and related primary care issues.

When was the conference held?

October 2–4, 2026.

Where was it held?

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World, Florida.

How many scientific lectures were scheduled?

The published program contains 12 scientific lectures across three days.

Does the program cover opioid prescribing?

Yes. It includes a dedicated session on opioid prescribing guidelines and regulatory considerations.

Does it include rheumatoid arthritis and biologic therapies?

Yes. The course reviews inflammatory arthritis, disease-modifying treatment, biologics, and medication safety.

Are gout and CPPD included?

Yes. A dedicated session addresses gout, CPPD, and crystal-associated arthritis.

Does it cover medication safety in older adults?

Yes. Two lectures address geriatric pharmacology, polypharmacy, medication interactions, and prevention of drug-related injury.

Does the course include chronic kidney disease?

Yes. The curriculum includes a session focused on guideline-informed CKD management.

Are official CME credits included with independently supplied course files?

No. Official credits require eligible participation through MCE Conferences.

Short Description

MCE Conferences Pharmacology and Rheumatology for Primary Care October 2–4, 2026 provides a comprehensive three-day educational review of clinical pharmacology, rheumatology, medication safety, arthritis, chronic pain, and related medical conditions encountered in primary care.

Held at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort in Walt Disney World, Florida, the original MCE conference features 12 scientific lectures covering evidence-based diagnosis, drug therapy, clinical guidelines, and management of common and complex conditions.

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Topics

• Friday, October 2nd

  • Best Practices in Prescribing Opioids: A Regulatory Perspective (Objectives: 1) Describe evolving opioid prescribing and regulatory practices in the United States 2) Discuss recently released opioid prescribing guidelines, while highlighting the relevance to primary care providers 3) Determine best practices for managing patients with chronic nonmalignant pain, while highlighting guidance from a regulatory perspective 4) Discuss cases, investigations, and licensure outcomes involving prescribers and opioids to identify practice improvement opportunities)

  • Optimizing Psychopharmacotherapy in Depression: Clinical Cases (Objectives: 1) Discuss pharmacologic management options within clinical cases of patients with depression 2) Relate physiologic and pathophysiologic alterations of brain neurochemistry to symptoms of depression, including the genetic link and molecular basis of injury 3) Apply clinical practice guidelines for antidepressant therapies 4) Identify key parameters for medications used to treat mechanism, safety, tolerability, efficacy, cost, and simplicity of use)

  • Approach to the Patient with Arthralgias and Myalgias (Objectives: 1) Describe the differences between inflammatory and noninflammatory causes of joint and muscle pain 2) Identify essential red flag conditions and when to refer 3) Explain the basic interpretation of diagnostic tests common in the evaluation of someone with joint and muscle pain 4) Reinforce essential physical exam skills in evaluating patients with arthritis 5) Confidently apply this information to daily practice)

  • When It’s Not Inflammatory: A Practical Approach to Osteoarthritis, Soft Tissue Pain & Fibromyalgia (Objectives: 1) Recognize the clinical features, risk factors, and typical joint distribution of osteoarthritis 2) Identify features that suggest secondary osteoarthritis 3) Develop an evidence-based, individualized management plan for osteoarthritis 4) Evaluate and manage common noninflammatory regional musculoskeletal disorders 5) Recognize fibromyalgia and apply a practical primary care approach to diagnosis and management)

• Saturday, October 3rd

  • Making Sense of Inflammatory Arthritis: Clues, Diagnosis, and Therapy (Objectives: 1) Recognize the characteristic clinical presentations of common inflammatory arthritides 2) Select and interpret appropriate laboratory and imaging studies 3) Explain the importance of early diagnosis, timely rheumatology referral, and disease-modifying therapy 4) Describe the major treatment strategies for inflammatory arthritis)

  • The Rheumatology Patient in Primary Care: What to Watch, What to Prevent, When to Worry (Objectives: 1) Discuss the new generation of biological therapies used to treat autoimmune arthritic disorders 2) Recognize the risks associated with biological therapies 3) Assess patient-specific factors to optimize the safety and efficacy of biological therapies 4) Develop a deeper understanding of the role of the primary care physician in the care of patients taking these medications)

  • Optimizing Drug Therapy and Avoiding Drug Injury in the Older Adult: Part 1 (Objectives: 1) Discuss key physiologic and pathophysiologic changes of aging that impact drug therapy 2) Apply age-sensitive principles for medication dosing and management to patient scenarios)

  • Optimizing Drug Therapy and Avoiding Drug Injury in the Older Adult: Part 2 (Objectives: 1) List nine key questions useful for identifying and managing inappropriate polypharmacy, such as unnecessary medication use in older adults 2) Apply practical tools to screen and appropriately manage complex drug regimens among older adults with or at-risk for drug injury 3) Discuss high-risk drug-drug and drug-dietary supplement interactions commonly encountered in primary care, including best practices in identifying and managing related toxicities)

• Sunday, October 4th

  • Best Practices in Chronic Kidney Disease: Highlights from Latest Guidelines and Expert Recommendations (Objectives: 1) Describe latest evidence and expert consensus guidance for the evaluation and risk assessment of individuals with CKD 2) Discuss medications used to delay CKD progression and manage its complications, including mechanism, safety, tolerability, efficacy, price, and simplicity of use 3) Review strategies to identify and manage cardiovascular risk in individuals with CKD 4) Summarize key recommendations for primary care in the evaluation, prevention, and management of CKD)

  • Managing Anxiety and Sleep Disorders: Drug and Non-Pharmacologic Considerations (Objectives: 1) Describe signs and symptoms of common sleep disorders and anxiety disorders with a focus on older adults 2) Discuss common anxiety disorders, including the neurobiological basis of disease, clinical presentation, assessment, and approach to treatment 3) Recognize evidence-based treatments for insomnia and common anxiety disorders, including lifestyle, behavioral, and pharmacologic interventions 4) Identify key parameters that warrant referral to specialty care for individuals with insomnia and/or anxiety disorders)

  • When Crystals Attack: Gout, CPPD, and Crystal Arthritis for Primary Care (Objectives: 1) Recognize the characteristic clinical presentations of gout, CPPD, and other crystal-associated arthropathies 2) Apply appropriate diagnostic strategies for crystal arthritis 3) Select appropriate therapy for an acute gout or CPPD flare 4) Identify patients who should receive urate-lowering therapy and implement a treat-to-target approach 5) Recognize important comorbidities, secondary causes, and treatment-related safety issues in crystal arthritis)

  • What You Need to Know About Connective Tissue Diseases (Objectives: 1) Review connective tissue diseases such as lupus, scleroderma, myositis and others and how they present clinically 2) Highlight the value of selective lab and imaging testing to establish the diagnosis 3) Evaluate the treatment approach using immunosuppressive therapies 4) Develop a deeper understanding of the role of the primary care physician in the care of these patients)